These matcha protein balls are a no-bake, healthy snack made quickly by blending oats and hemp hearts, then adding matcha and honey. These delicious energy bites will leave you drooling for more.
As someone who has studied nutrition and loves to create energy ball recipes 😉, I've developed this matcha protein ball recipe to deliver a powerhouse of nutrients in each bite, with 11 grams of protein per serving (2 energy balls). They are a twist on my highly rated pistachio oat bites!
Quick Look: Matcha Balls
- Equipment Needed: Food processor
- Time: 25 minutes
- Makes: 14 energy balls
- Calories: 247 per 2 energy balls
- Protein: 11 grams per 2 energy balls
- Dietary Info: Dairy-free, gluten-free
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Pulse the dry ingredients (oats and hemp hearts), then add matcha and honey; roll into balls and top with pistachios for a delicious crunch!
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Why you will love this recipe:
- Many recipes for matcha energy balls need cashew butter, but as it's hard to find, I created this recipe with no cashew butter. These matcha energy bites are dairy-free and gluten-free.
- My matcha bites are made without protein powder, almond flour, or shredded coconut (if you want them nut-free, omit the pistachios)!
- If you are a matcha lover, these energy balls are designed for you, and you will have to try my favorite healthy matcha frappe next.
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Ingredients & nutrition
Below I have listed the ingredients for these matcha balls. I chose simple ingredients that are accessible and nutrient-dense!
- Matcha: The star of these oat protein energy balls is matcha! There is ceremonial-grade and culinary-grade matcha: in terms of flavor, ceremonial is 'light and sweet' (with a brighter green color), and culinary has a 'bolder taste' and is light green.
- Hemp hearts: These little green and white seeds are high in protein; they balance out the flavor well and offer a constant stream of energy.
- Rolled oats: Oats are the base of these energy balls. Quick oats can be used in a pinch if needed; however, I recommend using rolled oats if you have them!
- Honey: I found honey is needed to hold the balls together and gives them a sweet flavor.
- Optional - Pistachios: I like to add chopped pistachios as a pretty green garnish; however, they are not needed for this recipe, so they are not included in the photo above.
See recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities.
Fun variations
Here are a few ways you can change this healthy recipe to make these extra matcha bites delicious!
- Chocolate chips: Make these chocolate matcha energy balls by adding ¼ cup of chocolate chips.
- Chia seeds: Add 1 tablespoon of these powerhouse seeds to these matcha date balls for an extra energy kick! Add the chia seeds with the oats - as the seeds are pulsed to become small; this will increase the nutrition your body can absorb from them.
- Protein powder: To add even more protein, add 1 scoop of protein powder and reduce the oats to 1 ¾ cups.
- Roll in coconut: For a pretty look, roll these balls in shredded coconut for matcha coconut balls!
Matcha contains caffeine, but less caffeine than coffee! I am personally sensitive to caffeine, but these matcha energy balls do not over do it.
Step-by-step instructions for protein matcha balls
Here are step-by-step photos taken in my kitchen! Scroll down to see the recipe card for exact ingredient quantities.
Step 1: Place the rolled oats and the hemp hearts into the food processor.
*This can be done in a high-powered blender if you do not have a food processor.
Step 2: Pulse the oats and hemp hearts until they are uniform and look like coarse sand.
Step 3: Place the matcha and warm water in a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Stir well until everything is thick and smooth.
Step 4: Melt the honey. I like to do this in a small pot on the stove over low heat. As soon as it is melted, remove the honey from the stove. It can also be melted in a microwave.
*Overheating the honey can make it form a hard candy.
Step 5: Add the matcha mix, melted honey, and vanilla to the ground oats and hemp hearts in the food processor.
Step 6: Pulse until a dough ball forms and everything is sticking together. Use a teaspoon to scoop and roll the dough into small balls. Add pistachios on top if desired.
Top tip for the best matcha balls
- Don't overheat the honey; use it once it is melted to create the right texture.
- There's ceremonial matcha and culinary-grade matcha. Culinary matcha is often pale green, and it's cheaper. Ceremonial matcha is a higher quality with a bright green color and a delicate flavor. Either can be used for this recipe; however, the taste and color will be more significant if the ceremonial matcha is used.
- Store these energy balls at room temperature (they will last a week), as placing them in the fridge will make them dense and dry.
Other easy no-bake recipes to try
My blog is dedicated to all the healthy snacks I make for my family that they love! If you enjoyed this recipe, next try this healthy matcha frappe!
💪🏼 Did you make these matcha protein balls?! Please give this recipe a star rating and leave your comments below. I read every one, and it helps others find this recipe!!
Matcha Protein Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup hemp hearts
- 1 ½ tablespoons matcha
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- ¼ cup optional: pistachios (chopped to use as garnish)
Instructions
- In a food processor, place the rolled oats and hemp hearts. Pulse until everything is ground up - like thick sand (see photo above in blog post).
- In a small bowl, mix the matcha and water together. Stir until everything is smooth. Then set aside.
- In a small pot or in a microwave, melt the honey just until it is liquid and runny, then immediately remove it from the heat.
- Add the honey, matcha, and vanilla to the food processor. Pulse until everything is combined and sticking together; it will form a dough ball. Use a teaspoon to scoop the dough and roll them into balls. Press a couple of chopped pistachios into each ball if using.
Notes
- Storage: These energy bites are best stored at room temperature as the fridge will make them quite hard. They last about a week. Or place them in the freezer to last up to three months.
- A food processor or high-powered blender would work to make these.
- Oats: quick oats or rolled oats work for this recipe.
- Gluten-free: To make sure these are gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats.
Nutrition
Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
I create snack recipes with healthy ingredients that are mostly already in your kitchen. I'm certified in Holistic Nutrition and I care about giving my kids real food. Let me share my nutrient-dense easy snacks with you.
Andrew says
Love these. I haven't had anything like them before but they were delicious.
Danika Vanderpyl says
So glad you liked them.